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Epidural for childbirth Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, April 2009.

Answers to questions about epidural for childbirth

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Can I still push if I have an epidural during childbirth?

Yes, you can still push but the epidural will make it difficult for you to 'feel' when to push. The epidural may also affect how hard you can push.

Explanation

Epidural analgesia will not stop you from pushing your baby out during delivery, but it will stop you feeling the urge to push. This means you may find it difficult to 'feel' when to push. The epidural may also affect how hard you can push. Because of this it may take longer for you to give birth. If your labour goes on for too long, it's possible you may become too tired to push.

Your midwife may suggest stopping the epidural when it is time to push. Stopping the epidural will help you feel the urge to push but it also means you will feel the pain of your contractions.

Your midwife or doctor may use forceps or a ventouse to help you give birth if you find it difficult to push hard. Forceps are like large tongs with curved ends that fit around your baby's head. Your midwife or doctor will pull gently on them while you push.

A ventouse (vacuum extraction) uses suction. A cup is placed on your baby's head and attached to a vacuum machine. The air is sucked out which attaches the cup strongly to the baby's head. Your midwife or doctor then pulls on the cup as you push.

Further information

Sources

  • Nafisi S. Effects of epidural lidocaine analgesia on labor and delivery: A randomised, prosepective, controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiology 2006; 6(15). www.biomedcentral.com, accessed 5 March 2008
  • Torvaldsen S, Roberts C, Bell J, et al. Discontinuation of epidural analgesia late in labour for reducing the adverse delivery outcomes associated with epidural analgesia. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004;(4). www.cochrane.org, accessed 5 March 2008
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Do I need to decide on whether to have the epidural before I come to hospital, or can I decide as I'm giving birth?

It's a good idea to talk to your midwife and make a birth plan early on in your pregnancy to help you decide how you would like your labour and birth to be managed.

Explanation

During your pregnancy you will have several check-ups with your midwife. It's a good idea to talk to your midwife and make a birth plan early on in your pregnancy to help you decide how you would like your labour and birth to be managed and where you would like to give birth. The choices you make will influence whether an epidural is available during birth or not.

For example, it's very unlikely that you will have access to an epidural if you have a home birth.

If you decide to have your baby in hospital you will have a wider choice of pain relief methods available to you. You can decide to have an epidural before coming into hospital, or if you are opting to have a natural birth, you can change your mind at anytime during labour and ask for an epidural. However it is a good idea to discuss epidural pain relief with your midwife before you come into hospital. This means you will have an opportunity to find out what services your hospital offers and you can ask your midwife to explain the benefits and risks of having an epidural.

Further information

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Will an epidural affect my memory of the birth or stop me from holding my baby immediately after birth?

No, epidural analgesia will not affect your memory or stop you from holding your baby immediately after birth.

Explanation

Epidural analgesia usually includes local anaesthetic and/or pain relief medicines. These medicines will block pain but should not affect your memory. Immediately after the birth the baby will be handed to you so that you have skin-to-skin contact if you wish. You may also want to put your baby to the breast.

Further information

Sources

  • Nafisi S. Effects of epidural lidocaine analgesia on labor and delivery: A randomised, prosepective, controlled trial. BMC Anesthesiology 2006; 6(15), www.biomedcentral.com, accessed 5 March 2008
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Will I be able to see what the surgeon is doing during a caesarean delivery under an epidural or spinal anaesthesia?

No, during the operation your abdominal area is shielded from you so you won't be able to see your surgeon perform the operation.

Explanation

If you have a caesarean delivery under epidural or spinal anaesthesia you will stay awake during the operation. You won't feel anything from the waist down but you may get a sensation of pushing or pulling during the operation.

You will be lying down during the operation. A raised sheet or shield is usually placed just below your breasts to hide the abdominal area from your view. Your surgeon will usually ask your birth partner to sit beside you at the top end of the table. This means your birth partner won't be able to see the operation either.

Your surgeon will make a cut through your abdomen and carefully remove your baby. Usually you will be able to see and hold your baby immediately after delivery. The raised sheet or shield will only be removed after your surgeon has closed your wound and dressed it.

Further information

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Related topics

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This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: April 2009

 

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